Monthly Archives: December 2020

WFIN’s Images Of 2020

Here are some of the many pictures, in no particular order, taken by WFIN News while covering stories in 2020.

May 17 – The Findlay Fire Department hung a memorial flag from a ladder truck (above) over South Main Street for the funeral procession of longtime Mt. Cory Fire Chief John Hassan to drive underneath. Get more on that story by clicking here. 

Feb. 11 – Atlas Shaffer sits atop his dad’s shoulders during the Cancer Patient Services of Hancock County Chili Cook-Off at UF. Atlas had a tumor removed from his liver when he was only 6 months old. Click here for more.

 

June 1 – Nina Parker, founder of the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center in Findlay, leads a prayer outside the Hancock County Courthouse. Get more here. 

 

May 19 – Vanlue firefighters rescuing a woman whose car got stuck on a flooded road along the Blanchard River. Get more here. 

 

January 29 – Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn takes a picture with some youngsters who stopped by the Findlay Municipal Building to pray for local government leaders and first responders.

 

February 28 – A Findlay police officer talks with a driver whose vehicle slid off an icy road and overturned.

 

October 12 – A Findlay City Schools bus waits to turn from 6th Street onto South Main Street on a cloudy Monday afternoon. The school district announced it will be going to a 4-day per week schedule to get students more in-person instruction.

 

December 19 – These folks made it a family affair as they participated in Wreaths Across America Day in Findlay. Mom told us that a lot of their family members have served and that her son was about to have a soldier-themed birthday party. Get more here.

 

May 25 – A new Arlington graduate points to someone along the parade route that she chucked a water balloon at during the graduation parade on a hot Sunday afternoon.

 

June 7 – In downtown Findlay on Saturday protesters paused to take a picture with two newlyweds who were taking some post-wedding pictures in downtown. They also formed a tunnel for the new bride and groom to walk through.

 

June 28 – Some youngsters having the time of their lives knocking into each other during the kids demolition derby ahead of the real thing Saturday night at The Putnam County Fair.

 

July 4 – An American Flag hanging from a crane in the Interstate 75 construction zone in Findlay over the 4th of July.

 

August 18th – Members of the Northwest Ohio Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in the parking lot of St. Michael the Archangel Parish on Bright Road in Findlay after arresting Father Michael Zacharias. Get more here.

 

November 13 – Students at Chamberlin Hill Intermediate hold a homemade banner and wave flags during the school’s salute to Veterans.

 

October 2 – The Findlay Trojans cheerleaders lead the football team onto the field for their homecoming game against Lima Senior at Donnell Stadium.

 

July 20 – A look at the sky in Findlay around sunset, from near the Lima Avenue roundabouts as a semi goes by.

 

April 4 – Despite not being able to have a party, a Findlay youngster named Briggs still had a very memorable birthday thanks to his friends and neighbors who slowly drove by his house (one person was even on a lawnmower) wishing him a happy birthday. Get more here.

 

December 23 – Hancock County EMS personnel were among the first people in the county to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Get more here. 

 

December 24 – Some people check out the City of Findlay Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve.

 

December 24 – A family walks among the luminaries that line South Main Street in Findlay on Christmas Eve, just a few hours before some overnight snow fell and made it a bit of a white Christmas.

 

 

Winter Weather Advisory Issued

Findlay and Hancock County are included in a Winter Weather Advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

The advisory goes from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day on Friday.

Forecasters say precipitation will spread over the area from south to north around and especially after daybreak.

A wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will change quickly to rain as warmer air overspreads the area.

Rain will likely be the predominant precipitation by midday.

Snow accumulation of up to one inch is possible along with a light glaze.

The greatest ice accumulation is expected along and south of the U.S. 30 corridor.

Drivers should slow down and use caution as roadways will become slick.

Friday’s high is forecasted to be around 40.

Rain showers will likely continue Friday night with a low of 36.

Saturday’s forecast is calling for mostly cloudy skies and a high around 40.

 

Man Injured In Findlay Crash

A man was taken to the hospital after a two-vehicle crash in Findlay.

The crash happened at around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of Center Street.

The Findlay Police Department says Emmet Clements, 93, of Mt. Cory, was driving eastbound on Center Street when he rear-ended an SUV that was waiting to turn left into Early Years Family Childcare.

Clements was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital with minor injuries.

He was issued a citation.

Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.

 

Man Indicted For 2018 Findlay Murder

A man is facing charges in connection with the shooting death of a man in Findlay nearly three years ago.

A Hancock County Grand Jury has indicted Jayden M. Edwards on charges of Complicity to Aggravated Murder, Complicity to Aggravated Robbery and Complicity to Aggravated Burglary.

Each charge also comes with a firearm specification.

Prosecutors say Edwards, 24, was heavily involved in the shooting death of 56-year-old Jeffery Gary at an address on Fox Street in Findlay on February 11th, 2018.

Investigators at the time said multiple suspects confronted Gary and shot him.

Edwards is the first person to be indicted in connection with the murder.

Edwards is currently serving time at North Central Correctional Institution in Marion on a separate aggravated robbery case.

 

 

 

OSHP Urging People To Celebrate The New Year Responsibly

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding people to celebrate responsibly as they bid farewell to 2020 and welcome in the new year.

The Patrol says, during last year’s New Year’s holiday, three out of the four motor vehicle fatalities that occurred were OVI-related.

Troopers will be extra vigilant in getting impaired drivers off the roads and making sure everyone celebrates the New Year responsibly.

The Patrol is urging people to designate a sober driver before the alcohol starts flowing.

OVI arrests were way up over the Christmas holiday reporting period in 2020.

 

 

Assistance Still Available For Ohio Liquor Permit Holders

Governor DeWine says more than 5,100 eligible on-premises liquor permit holders have not applied for state assistance through Ohio’s Bar & Restaurant Grant Program.

Of the $38.7 million the state originally set aside to support liquor permit holders, more than $12 million hasn’t been claimed.

The governor says each active on-premises liquor permit (as of 10-23-20) is eligible for $2,500 per location.

He says the funding isn’t competitive, and the money does not have to be repaid.

The governor points out that more than just bars and restaurants have eligible liquor permits.

Movie theaters, bowling alleys, sports and concert venues, and even some hair salons are eligible for the funding if they have a liquor permit.

People are encouraged to visit http://businesshelp.ohio.gov to apply.

 

Hancock Park District Educating People On Scat

The Hancock Park District is educating people on how to identify animals based on their scat.

What is scat you ask?

The Hancock Park District explains in the following news release.

Nature’s Virtual Classroom: Stupendous Scat!” will promote learning from home via a HPD staff-produced video on the Hancock Park District’s YouTube Channel. In this class, children will learn about scat and the animals it comes from. Scat, nature’s way of saying poop, is a way to help identify an animal. Some animals, such as the weasel, leave their scat where everyone can see it. Other animals, such as the woodchuck, make it hard to find. Learn how scat differs from an herbivore to a carnivore and how to identify animals in Northwest Ohio based on their scat. This class will also provide craft ideas for making animal scat at home. Viewers will be able to watch from the comfort and safety of their own home and at a time that works best for them. You can access the video more than once, giving you multiple opportunities to enjoy the experience and the expertise of the presenter. Although recommended for ages six to 10, each program will engage a variety of age levels.

 

 

 

5 More COVID-19 Deaths In Hancock County

Five Hancock County residents died of COVID-19 in the past week.

The Wednesday numbers from Hancock Public Health show that there have now been 81 deaths from the virus, an increase of five from last Wednesday.

Active cases dropped from 402 on December 23rd to 272 on December 30th.

On Wednesday, 26 people in Hancock County were hospitalized from the virus, a drop of 12 from last Wednesday.

Statewide, there have been more than 690,000 cases and more than 8,800 deaths during the pandemic.

 

Statewide COVID-19 Curfew Being Extended Again

Governor DeWine has announced that the Ohio Department of Health will be extending the state’s COVID-19 curfew again.

This 3-week extension means the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew will remain in effect until at least January 23rd.

DeWine said the curfew is being extended again because it’s still unclear what effect the holidays will have on COVID numbers for hospitals and healthcare systems.

The curfew originally went into effect on November 19th.

The governor reminds people that the curfew does not apply to those who are going to and from work or have a medical emergency or need medical care.

And he says the curfew is not intended to stop people from getting groceries or going to a pharmacy.

He says picking up carry-out or a drive-thru meal and ordering delivery is permitted, but establishments must stop serving food and drink at 10 p.m.

Get more on the curfew here.

 

Pedestrian Hit By Car In Downtown Findlay

A woman was struck by a car in a downtown Findlay intersection on Tuesday afternoon.

It happened at 12:23 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of South Main Street and East Sandusky Street.

The Findlay Police Department says Dorothy A. Jones, 72, of Findlay, was walking across South Main Street in the crosswalk on the north side of the intersection when she was hit by a car that was turning from West Sandusky Street onto South Main Street to go northbound.

Police say the car was being driven by Franklin D. Schrum, 58, of Findlay.

He was issued a citation for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Dorothy was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries that are not life-threatening.

A witness at the scene told WFIN News it looked like the car struck the woman’s foot.